Empowered By The Spirit

8. The Greek word for “dwell” in Colossians
3:16 has the idea of living in a home. Therefore, what do you think it means to dwell in the Word of God richly?

Walking In The Spirit. There are three very important passages in the New Testament
that help us understand how to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. We have looked at two of them. Now we will
look at the third one. It is found in Galatians 5:16-23. But first, let us look at Galatians 5:16,

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the
flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to
one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not
under the Law. (NASB) Gal. 5:16-18

This is a wonderful passage because it tells us that if we are walking in the Spirit, the Holy Spirit will
be making some new changes in our life.

9. According to Gal. 5:16-18 there is a war between two things. What is at war?

10. What does the flesh want to do according to Gal. 5:19-21?

11. If a person is walking in the Spirit what does the Holy Spirit produce according to
Gal. 5:22-23?

In Gal. 5:16 we are commanded by God to walk in the Spirit. To walk in the Spirit is the key to victory
over our sinful desires and to living a holy life. The key to victory over sin is not self-punishment, doing
penance, or mortification of sin. It is not self-help books or going to prolonged counseling sessions. The
key to living a holy life according to Gal. 5:16 is to walk in the Spirit. Christians are commanded to walk
in the Spirit since they already live in the Spirit (Rom. 8:2; Gal. 5:25; 1 Pet. 4:6).

The Greek word for “walk” in Gal. 5:16 has the idea of continually walking in the Spirit and
the Greek word for “carry out” has the idea of accomplishment. That is, if we are constantly walking in the
Spirit, the desire of our flesh will not be satisfied. That is a strong statement. Now we need to ask, “How
do we walk in the Spirit?”

The Greek word for “walk” is PERIPATEO which means “to walk up and down” or “walk about” in
the Spirit. It does not mean to walk up and down on the Holy Spirit. It does not mean to walk around the Holy
Spirit but “in the Holy Spirit.” Now how do we do that? Do you climb inside the Holy Spirit? If so, how do
we do that? No, we cannot climb inside the Spirit, but He already indwells us and wants to direct us. This
will occur as we walk in the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit is the habitual practice of “being constantly filled
by the Holy Spirit” and “dwelling in the Word richly” day after day, moment after moment.